//------------------------------// // Chapter One: Visitors // Story: Fraternization // by Starlight Shadow //------------------------------// "Chrysalis?! On the Council!?" Luna slammed her hooves on the table. The dawn-white alicorn sitting across from her sighed. "Luna, this could be the only way of making peace with the changelings." Celestia rubbed her temples. The changelings had been giving them trouble ever since Cadance's wedding, with repeated attacks on small towns being reported. "Why are we making peace with those bugs anyway?! You know Chrysalis, she'll stab us in the back the first chance she gets!" Luna sat back down and crossed her forelegs. A weary smile crossed her sister's face. "You look awfully cute when you do that." Luna harrumphed. "Twilight, surely you think this is a bad idea." Twilight briefly glanced up from the law textbook they kept during meetings for reference. "I don't know, Lulu. An alliance with the changelings would be beneficial to Equestria as a whole. I think you should give it a chance." She smiled warmly. "Maybe you'll like Chrysalis. You didn't even see her during the wedding." "From what everypony told me, I could figure it out fine." Twilight and Celestia ignored her. Celestia hovered a quill in golden magic. "Dear Queen Chrysalis...." ------------- Chrysalis sat perched on her throne, staring down at her hive. The throne sat at the top of a stone pillar, allowing her to see the entirety of the luminous green sphere the changelings called home. Little rooms covered the walls, from which changelings darted in and out. It filled the queen with the warm glow of pride when she looked upon the thousands of drones she had at her disposal. A letter materialized in front of her. Her green glow reached out and snatched it before it could fall. She yanked it open and read it. Dear Queen Chrysalis, We understand you have no reason to accept this offer, seeing as we forcibly ejected you from Canterlot the last time you were there Chrysalis snorted. She continued reading. but we think it would be beneficial to both parties if you accepted a position on the Equus Council, along with the griffons and Discord. This way you would have a say in all laws passed, therefore avoiding any anti-changeling laws being passed. Please respond if you wish to take up this position, or if you would like to send an ambassador in your place. Yours truly, Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Twilight Sparkle. She reread the letter a few times. A place on the Equus Council.....that would be nice. The anti-changeling laws that were passed had been incredibly bothersome, and now she had a chance to get them repealed. That did sound incredibly nice. And the fact still stood that Canterlot was overflowing with love. If she could make it so changelings could legally live in Equestrian cities, then her people would benefit, as well as the ponies, but who cared about them. She scrawled a message on the back, Yes, I would like the position, thank you very much., then sent for a messenger. ------------- The four princesses stood at the palace gates, waiting for Chrysalis and her entourage to arrive. Twilight fidgeted. Luna paced, occasionally throwing venomous looks at Celestia. Celestia and Cadance were the pictures of serenity, though you could tell Cadance was hiding fear. A black alicorn about Twilight's height, along with an entourage of four changelings, touched down. Chrysalis had taken this form so as not to intimidate the princesses. She regarded them all with varying levels of interest, Luna receiving the longest look. "Allow me to introduce you four to my elite." Chrysalis's voice was smooth as silk, and oddly seductive sounding. "Jade, Reason, Thought, and Forest." The four creatures bowed as Chrysalis said their names. "We are honored to meet you all." Celestia was the first to speak. The four changelings nodded, then bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Princess of the Sun." The changeling they recognized as Jade spoke in a raspy voice. "Changelings can talk?" Twilight blushed. "I'm sorry, Queen Chrysalis. I thought only you could talk out of the changelings." Chrysalis bristled at this, but spoke anyway. "It is alright, Twilight Sparkle. Only a few of our number know your language, I understand your surprise." Luna mumbled something under her breath, but Celestia quickly silenced her. "Allow me to show you to your rooms." They led the changelings and their queen to a secluded guest room, nearest to the east side of the castle. "Here we are." Twilight cast a lovely smile back at their guests. "I assume these preparations will be adequate?" "They are fine. Thank you very much." It was clear Chrysalis didn't want to talk any longer. Three out of the four princesses left, but Luna stayed, glaring at the changeling queen. "I know what you're up to. And you won't get away with it on my watch." "I'm not 'up to' anything, Princess Luna." Chrysalis's neutral look frustrated Luna to no end, and she accidentally-on-purpose slammed the door. ------------- Dinner was an awkward affair, especially since Chrysalis had decided to sit next to Princess Luna. Luna had initially started glaring daggers at the queen in an attempt to get her to move, but had given up. There wasn't a sound save for the clink and clank of tableware, and the occasional burst of conversation. Eventually, Chrysalis decided to talk to Luna. "Canterlot is a nice city." "It is. It's Equestria's capital, you know." Because you attacked it, Luna thought savagely. "Maybe you could show me around sometime? I'm going to be spending quite a bit of time here." "Possibly." Luna glanced at the feathered wings at Chrysalis's sides. "Do you fly often?" "I fly when needed, but I don't fly for fun." "Maybe we could fly over Canterlot." Luna ventured. "It looks gorgeous during nighttime." The two began to chat in a hesitant manner, breaking the endless silence.